Just Friends

CHAPTER 16

"There are friends and there is family, and then there are friends that become family."

- UNKNOWN

^^^ 

After spending hours in the mansion, the guest had finally decided to depart. "Kiara can stay behind, right?" Amrita was staring at Rajeev and Kajal for permission. They both glanced at their daughter. "Avni is staying back as well." Amrita was pleading with them.

"Amu, we would have allowed, but Kiara had come in the morning and we didn't get to properly..." Rajeev came up with an excuse, he could feel Kiara getting uncomfortable. She couldn't allow her heart to again get attracted to Dhruv.

"She will be staying for a few days and then you all can—"

"No," Kiara interrupted Amrita. "I am not staying back. I had come to attend the engagement. I will be leaving tomorrow." That information made Dhruv glance at Kiara. He had cut himself off from her. Finding every excuse to distance himself from her. Kiara was aware that he was doing it purposely, indirectly conveying that he was mad at her.

"So early?" Renuka sounded amazed, and Kiara gave a slight nod having nothing to respond with.

"I will have to go back after a week," Amrita informed grabbing Kiara's attention. "It has been more than a month since I am back but seems like everything has changed between us." Amrita sounded sad and Kiara was going to interrupt but Amrita continued, "I know with years our summer vacation had died. We no longer get excited for grami ki chootiya. And we are often engrossed in our work during our holidays. I visited you all after more than a year. You people can call me foolish but I had anticipated a warm welcome, all your attention planted on me. I know it was insane of me but I missed you all. I wanted to spend some amazing moments so I could survive the studying period over there. Maybe I expected a lot... never mind..." Amrita pulled a smile. "I understand Kiara you need some space and I am not going to question your decision about it." She muttered, pulling Kiara in a hug. "I miss our old times together..." Amrita confessed in Kiara's ears.

After Amrita's confession, everyone went silent. Each one of them realized that they were so busy in their lives to notice that the smallest member of their group was craving their attention. "Hmm... I think I can extend my stay." Kiara suggested, "it isn't like I have any deadline ticking on me. Some amazing time with my friends isn't going to harm."

"Yeah!" Avni jumped in, "it will be more like revisiting our past."

"I am in as well!" Dhruv attempted to cheer up, subsiding his pain. Kiara rolled her eyes, Dhruv would always win in masking his emotion.

Amrita had a broad smile as she glanced at her friends. She had missed this! The bond that they shared. The way they kept others' emotions above their needs. The way they cared for one another.

"What about a week dedicated to me? No works! No excuses! Just me!" Amrita raised a brow challenging her friends. Dhruv shook his head at his sister's raising demand.

"Don't you think, you are turning greedy?" Dhruv inquired narrowing his eyes at her.

"Not at all! I am just asking what I deserve." She shrugged her shoulder winking at Dhruv.

"And I guess we should gift her with what she deserves." Kiara agreed, making Amrita bust into giggles of excitement.

"After such a long, I am seeing my children so happy..." Renuka muttered as she stood beside Kajal as she was staring at the children busy discussing their plans.

"It feels great to see them holding each other back like old days." Kajal joined in the conversation. "Sometimes, I wish they had never grown up. They would have escaped from the cruel reality of fate." Her eyes were fixed on Kiara and Dhruv.